June 22, 2016 by JordanG
Megan Hammonds, MA, LAT, ATC, is the athletic trainer for women’s basketball at Old Dominion University and serves as the District Three representative for the NATA Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee (EDAC). She was part of the group of athletic trainers who hit Capitol Hill yesterday to advocate for the profession, and she took a few minutes out of her busy day to reminisce with us about her first NATA convention.
- When did you attend your first NATA convention? My first NATA convention was June 2013 in Las Vega
- What was memorable about your first convention? The amount of people I met and networked with outside of my district.
- What do you look forward to the most at the NATA convention? I look forward to seeing everyone from EDAC and [other athletic trainers who] I only get to see this time of year from all over the country.
- Of the NATA conventions you’ve attended, which has been your favorite and why? St. Louis is probably my favorite so far. I’m not sure why, but it’s the one that sticks out the most. It may be because I felt more involved, not just with EDAC, but being lab assistant for several presentations. I will say after this week, my new favorite might be Baltimore!
- What advice would you give convention newcomers, particularly students? Take it all in. Convention can be overwhelming, but network and meet as many new people as you can. It’s amazing the relationships you can build at the NATA convention with people from outside your district or your normal inner circle where you live.
- Being from the Baltimore area, how does it feel to have the NATA convention come to your town? It’s awesome! And I enjoyed having the chance to come up early and volunteer to help set up registration.
- What one thing would you recommend convention attendees go to/do while in Baltimore? They should definitely go to the AT Expo and EDAC’s educational session, but also take some time to walk around the city and explore!
